Researcher Erin Lavik found that incorporating theater improvisation activities in a graduate-level thermodynamics course led to higher rates of engagement and participation. Students reported feeling more alert, engaged, and ready to participate during improv exercises.
Dipanjan Pan and collaborators have developed a novel method to synthesize plasmonic gold nanoparticles within cancer cells, eliminating the need for traditional laboratory methods. The approach has potential applications in x-ray imaging and therapy, with possibilities for targeted drug delivery.
A recent UMBC study finds that female researchers have led the way in bird song research, fundamentally changing our understanding of avian biology and evolution. Women made up 56% of authors and held 68% of first-author positions on papers about female bird song.
Researchers at UMBC develop independent vector analysis (IVA) for common subspace extraction (CS) to analyze fMRI data, identifying subgroups of schizophrenia patients with significant clinical significance. The method preserves nuances in data while rendering statistically significant groupings.
Astronomers have discovered a Neptune-sized planet, AU Mic b, orbiting a young and nearby star, AU Microscopii. The discovery provides an opportunity to study the early days of planetary formation and migration in a solar system's early stages.
A method to investigate healthcare data quality using a systematic approach has been developed by researchers at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. The software automatically detects data defects effectively and efficiently, reducing the prevalence of errors in some existing healthcare datasets.
A study led by University of Maryland Baltimore County Ph.D. candidate Samuel Hulse demonstrates a strong correlation between the visual patterns on male darter fish and their environments, supporting sensory drive theory. The findings show that male fish with colors easily perceivable in their environment are more likely to reproduce.
Researchers at UMBC have developed a new solution to render realistic human skin in video games. The new method uses temporal variance to lower the number of changes within each frame while maintaining a realistic depiction of subsurface scattering.
New research on the structure of HIV has revealed a promising novel drug target that can prevent further infection by targeting the genetic code. This discovery offers hope for more effective treatments and potentially fewer side effects for HIV patients.
Researchers found that mantis shrimps rely on external cues from the sun, followed by polarization patterns in light, before using their internal navigation system when other options are unavailable. These findings provide new insights into the complex behaviors of these fascinating creatures.
International team parses Pacific Robin populations across South Pacific islands into several distinct species, revealing complex relationships and major conservation implications. The study highlights the importance of understanding biodiversity units for effective conservation, particularly for small, isolated island populations.
Researchers at University of Maryland Baltimore County developed DIY assistive technology platforms, including TalkBox and SenseBox, to facilitate communication for people with disabilities. These open-source platforms use low-cost sensors and a Raspberry Pi to enable users to communicate through images, sounds, or tactile objects.
The U.N. and international organizations have set ambitious forest restoration targets, but data shows that many countries in the global South are struggling to meet their commitments. Local communities' involvement is crucial for success, but current efforts often lack this essential element.
Researchers have successfully created optical supramolecules using tightly bound optical solitons in lasers, mimicking natural molecular systems. This breakthrough enables the storage and manipulation of encoded information within these complex arrays.
Researchers successfully collect wind data on Mars, revealing circulation patterns that bear the signature of mountains and valleys hundreds of kilometers below. The study's findings provide valuable insights into Martian climate and potentially inform studies on Earth's upper atmosphere.
Researchers developed a Virtual Pointer technology to improve laparoscopic surgery training. Trainees experienced reduced cognitive load and increased task performance when using the system.
Researchers developed nanoparticles that attach to microcracks, allowing for clear imaging using X-ray-based technique with hafnium particles. This breakthrough could enable doctors to detect serious problems like heart blockages more accurately.
A novel light waveform approach can solve two major challenges in microresonator development, enabling compact frequency combs that can be used in medical tests and other applications. This technology has the potential to greatly expand the range of applications for frequency combs.
A $1.2M grant will establish a network of recirculating aquaculture systems to produce Atlantic salmon in the US, increasing sustainability and reducing imports. The project aims to develop environmentally friendly land-based systems that can replace imported seafood, promoting domestic production and reducing trade deficits.
The ArchaeoGLOBE project provides the first global assessment of land use changes since the last ice age, driven by humans over the past 10,000 years. This study reveals profound implications for understanding contemporary global changes in land use, climate, and biodiversity.
Researchers found that the LUX gene regulates stomata opening and closing, as well as activating defense mechanisms. The study could lead to more resistant crops and better treatment for human diseases.
Researchers at the University of Maryland Baltimore County have successfully sequenced two genes that allow spiders to produce their sticky glue. This achievement could lead to new applications in organic pest control and biomaterials, building on previous discoveries about spider silk genes.
Researchers at University of Maryland Baltimore County develop new method to measure atmospheric hydroxyl radicals, a key molecule involved in methane breakdown. This improvement can enhance the accuracy of climate models and inform policy decisions on reducing methane emissions.
The UMBC program has been successfully replicated at two other institutions, demonstrating its model's extraordinary impact. Students from underrepresented groups in STEM showed significant gains in GPAs and retention rates, while overall student outcomes improved.
Researchers describe the full annual life cycle of a dragonfly in the Western hemisphere for the first time, using citizen science and chemical analysis. The common green darner migrates north in spring, south in fall, and has a wingspan of just 7.5 cm but covers an average of over 600 km.
A new study by UMBC researchers highlights the importance of taking a long-term approach to reforestation efforts. Secondary forest patches are often quickly re-cleared, but their full benefits don't kick in until they're decades old. The study found that large patches and those alongside rivers were less likely to be re-cleared.
A new statistical technique helps address gender and publication biases in science by explicitly testing for equivalence rather than difference. The method allows for the comparison of similarities between traits, providing insights into conservation efforts and knowledge gaps in fields like ecology and animal behavior.
The University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) has partnered with the Chesapeake Conservancy to develop a more accurate map of the region's waterways using novel techniques. This project aims to prioritize restoration efforts and enhance enforcement of environmental laws in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Researchers at UMBC developed nanoparticles that increase blast trauma survival rates and reduce anxiety. The nanoparticles also protect the brain from damage by reducing signs of inflammatory cells and neural cell death.
A team of UMBC researchers has developed a novel approach to making therapeutic proteins available at the point of care, enabling faster drug development and more personalized medicines. The portable system, about the size of a suitcase, allows for rapid production without relying on manufacturing facilities or transport.
Researchers at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) have developed a novel method to produce therapeutic proteins within two hours using human blood. The technique involves extracting cellular protein synthesis machinery from human blood and adding recombinant DNA to produce specific treatments.
Recent research suggested natural regeneration is superior to tree-planting, but a new study criticizes the sites chosen for evaluation, citing apples-to-oranges comparisons. The authors argue that natural regeneration isn't always successful and recommend giving it a chance before intervening with human aid.
Scientists have identified a critical function of the PDK1 signaling pathway in cancer cells, which regulates the formation of a three-protein complex that facilitates purine production and thiamine synthesis. This discovery may lead to new insights into the causes of metastasis and potential ways to prevent it.
Physicists Sebastian Deffner and Anthony Bartolotta developed techniques for describing the thermodynamics of very small systems with high energy, which could lead to a better understanding of the birth of the universe. They found that in their model system, the system was more likely to return multiple particles upon sending in just one.
A recent study by UMBC physicists found that the interaction between wildfire smoke and clouds results in a net cooling effect, contrary to previous understanding. The team discovered that the smoke increases cloud reflectivity, leading to an overall cooling effect.
A team of researchers found that 71% of surveyed birds had female song, contradicting the long-held assumption that bird song is an exclusively male trait resulting from sexual selection. The study suggests that social selection may have played a role in the evolution of bird song, with both males and females competing for resources.
Researchers at University of Maryland Baltimore County identified successful factors for minority students' success, including early involvement in scientific research projects. The findings suggest that well-prepared minority students are more likely to pursue science and engineering careers.